Crop update – March/April
Stuart Lawson, produce technical manager at fresh produce supplier Reynolds, reviews availability for the weeks ahead
!](http://www.catererandhotelkeeper.co.uk/Articles/25/10/2013/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=7702723.jpg) | Grapes Availability is tight from South Africa due to the wet conditions seen throughout the season, and quality is also variable. Early season Indian fruit has started to come through, but wet and cool conditions are hampering supply and volumes are low. Chilean volume hasn't started to build yet, and reports from Chile suggest that the season will be difficult. |
![](http://www.catererandhotelkeeper.co.uk/Articles/25/10/2013/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=7702262.jpg) | Lemons The quality of Spanish lemons is inconsistent, with varied levels of skin scarring, mixed maturity and softness being seen. As we move into the early summer, supply will be very tight from both South Africa and Argentina. |
![](http://www.catererandhotelkeeper.co.uk/Articles/25/10/2013/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=7702722.jpg) | Strawberries Spanish fruit is showing irregular levels of ‘white shoulder' (meaning the berry is not fully ripe) with a very pale top at the stalk area. Also, sporadic instances of rot and mould are being seen in the markets, due to high humidity in the Spanish tunnels. |
![](http://www.catererandhotelkeeper.co.uk/Articles/25/10/2013/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=7702720.jpg) | Courgettes Availability continues to be tight due to a virus that is spreading within the crops in the Almeria region of Spain. This has a serious effect on the plant yield and can result in the plant dying. General quality is also affected. |